Project information

Outreach Program to reach rural communities

To ensure people with disabilities receive the assistance that is available to them. Often these people cannot reach or afford help in towns and cities and instead remain isolated and abandoned in villages. The outreach program identifies vulnerable people and directs them to the support available

Charity information: Nicky's Foundation

Need

Many people in the rural communities in southwest Cameroon rarely leave the village in which they live due to the cost of public transport and therefore will not be aware of the range of services that are available to assist them should they need help. For people who have a disability & living in this environment the problem is far worse as they do not even have the option of walking. This means that any help that's available is inaccessible to them. The outreach program seeks to overcome this.

Solution

The outreach program involves a representative from both the government and Nicky's Foundation visiting rural communities. After meeting with traditional councils and gaining their support we give educative talks to the people. Once the message has been passed about the help that is available, vulnerable members of the community can be identified & directed to the appropriate services. Those eligible for help from Nicky's Foundation will be encouraged to make an application for assistance

What success will look like

Impact

By informing the population of the causes of disability and the help that is available we will gradually begin to change the lives of individuals be it through a surgical intervention so a person can walk independently or see again. Members of the community will witness the impact and the message will spread and more people will come forward for help. Our long term aim is that persons with disabilities will no longer be marginalised and instead be involved in their community as fully as can be.

Risk

Cultural and traditional beliefs that disability is a curse from God will be a barrier to overcome in some areas, particularly the very remote villages. The risk that if people believe that a person is cursed and deserves their punishment then they will not be open to receiving assistance from the outreach program, is being managed by involving local people such as traditional councils in using the best approach to sharing information. Some communities may take longer to form a relationship

Reporting

We will report information in our Annual Reports; individualised reports at the donors request; website posts.

Budget - Project Cost: £15,000

Location

The project location is SW Cameroon which is largely rural. The area borders Nigeria and has an expanse of forest and some mountains making the road network poor.
The area is english speaking with local people speaking a mixture of pidgin english and local dialects.
Many people make a living through subsistence farming

Beneficiaries

People living with disabilities and other who are socially vulnerable will directly benefit. Indirectly the families and communities around the individuals receiving assistance will benefit in so much that if we can change the life a person with a disability so that they become independent they will no longer be seen or felt to be a burden on another person

People

Nicola Smith

Occupational Therapist and Director of Nicky's Foundation. Knowledge of rehabilitation services available in the area. Will Co- lead the program.

Thomson Ntuba

Social Worker, Chief of Social centre. Knowledge of services available. Will Co - lead the program

Ndenghu Hansel

Social Welfare Officer. Has local knowledge of services available and will support Person 1 when Person 2 is unavailable

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile

Rachel, Occupational Therapy student visiting the program from the UK

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile

Rachel, Occupational Therapy student visiting the program from the UK

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile

Rachel, Occupational Therapy student visiting the program from the UK

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile

Rachel, Occupational Therapy student visiting the program from the UK

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile

Rachel, Occupational Therapy student visiting the program from the UK

The outreach program and spreading the word about Nicky’s Foundation is so important. We want to make sure that as many people as possible know about the support that is available to them. This includes getting to the smallest and most rural villages but just helping one person made this worthwhile